This
week was awesome. It is so cool to be a missionary during general
conference and listen to the head of the church talk about you. I saw
Tom Rowley in the choir and that was also really neat. Elder Holland and
Elder Uchtdorf were my favorite talks and seemed to hit right what I
needed to hear. I loved conference but I think one of the highlights of
my weekend was being in a room with thousands of missionaries singing,
"We'll bring the world his truth". It has always been my favorite
primary song but its really neat singing the song in the MTC because
they change the words. It goes "We have been born as Nephi of old to
goodly parents who love the Lord. We have been taught and we understand
that we must do as the Lord commands. We are as the army of Helaman, we
have been taught in our youth and we are now the Lord's missionaries to
bring the world his truth. We know his plan and we will prepare,
increase our knowledge through study and prayer. Daily well learn for
now we are called to take the gospel to all the world. We are as the
army of Helaman, we have been taught in our youth and we are now the
Lords missionaries to bring the world his truth. We have been saved for
these latter days to build the kingdom in righteous ways. We hear the
words our prophet declares, let each whose worthy go forth and share. We
are as the army of Helaman, we have been taught in our youth, and we
are now the Lords missionaries to bring the world his truth. I can't
really describe what that sounds or feels like to sing that song with
thousands of missionaries but the head of the meeting said "It seems
like your voices are so much louder than your numbers. There must be
angels helping you sing." I think that describes it pretty well.  |
| These are my elders last night during Elder Balzers last night.
|
Today is P-day and I got to go to the temple again! It
was pouring rain when we left but we didn't care. We walked to the temple
in the pouring rain singing "There is sunshine in my soul today". I did
an endowment session with my companions which was wonderful because
I felt like I hadn't done one in so long. I ran into Heather Willis (I
apologize for not remembering her new last name) and gave her a hug. I
also saw some of Rinamay's family in our session. I talked to them in
the celestial room for a few minutes. It is such a small world. Elder
Balzer from our district left to Colombia this morning. It was sad to
see him go because it seems like he is already part of our family. I
will miss his comments and insights because he is a convert and seems to
understand missionary work differently than we do and understands how
important our message is.
For devotionals this week we heard from Elder Ringwood
and his wife (member of the 70) and last night we heard from Vocal Point
which is a group of nine guys from BYU that sing occapella. They
competed on a TV show not too long ago and I guess they did pretty
well. They sang different hymns and shared their testimonies and
experiences from their missions with us. My Spanish is continuing to come
so quickly. Its crazy how well the gift of tongues works. Sometimes I
will look at sentences once and remember them. My companions and I have
memorized a scripture in Spanish everyday so far. They are always
scriptures that we use in our lessons with our investigator. We get to
teach a new investigator tonight and I am so excited. That is the best
part of the week.
These are statistics that I compiled to give you a
feel for what life is like in the MTC everyday. The phrase, "Esta bien"
(Meaning its all good, its okay, alright) is used about 130 times a day.
We go up about 476 stairs a day (our classroom is on the fifth floor of
the building and our residence is on the third floor.) It feels like we
go up and down stairs all day long. I pass Elders or Hermanas praying
about 8 times a day. I love to hear people praying in different
languages and I love praying in Spanish. Our district brings up ties
about 13 times a day. When you have to stare at each other all day ties
get pretty interesting. My companions tell me I am going the wrong way
about 5 times a day. I always think I know where I am going but I never
seem to. In my defense all the buildings look exactly the same. I
accidently talk to people in Spanish probably about 4 times a day. I
always feel bad when I start talking to someone in the cafeteria like
they know what I am saying because of the look of confusion on their
faces. I'm sure they get that a lot though. I open my scriptures about 13
times a day and take around 40 pages of notes every day. But the
greatest statistic of all is that the Spirit is with us all the time, 24
hours a day.  |
My companions and some hermana in our zone going to California
that we love. Their names are Hermana Nnah and Hermana Ballard.
We sing Hermana Nnah's name to that muppet song all the time. Hermana
Nnah, do do do do do. Hermana Nnah, do do do do. lol
|
Whenever I meet an Elder or Hermana that knows someone
or is writing someone in my mission they always tell me that it is "So
poor and very dirty". All I can think is Heavenly Father you picked the
right girl. I am so excited to go to Peru. I love and pray for the
people there every day. Also I found out this week that my mission is in
the process of getting split. I may not be serving in the Lima East
mission, but we will see when I get there where the Lord needs me. My
companions and I were sad to hear the announcement because we may not be
in the same mission. I love my companions, they are so patient with me.
Thank you for everyone that has sent me letters. I have
been surprised so far by how many people have written me. I will work
on writing more letters today. I feel bad because it takes so much
longer for you to get my letters than for me to get yours but I will do
my best to write as soon as I get them. I know the message that I am
preparing to share is real. It is true.
Hope to hear from you soon!
Love,
Hermana Rhoten
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